CVE-2026-21265 - Windows 10 Version 1607 Plugin
CVE-2026-21265
Windows Secure Boot stores Microsoft certificates in the UEFI KEK and DB. These original certificates are approaching expiration, and devices containing affected certificate versions must update them to maintain Secure Boot functionality and avoid compromising security by losing security fixes related to Windows boot manager or Secure Boot.
The operating system’s certificate update protection mechanism relies on firmware components that might contain defects, which can cause certificate trust updates to fail or behave unpredictably. This leads to potential disruption of the Secure Boot trust chain and requires careful validation and deployment to restore intended security guarantees.
Certificate Authority (CA)
Location
Purpose
Expiration Date
Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011
KEK
Signs updates to the DB and DBX
06/24/2026
Microsoft Corporation UEFI CA 2011
DB
Signs 3rd party boot loaders, Option ROMs, etc.
06/27/2026
Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011
DB
Signs the Windows Boot Manager
10/19/2026
For more information see this CVE and Windows Secure Boot certificate expiration and CA updates.
CVE-2026-21265
MEDIUM
CVSS 6.4
Published 2026-01-13
Updated 2026-01-14
AI Risk Elevated (55/100)
Active Exploit: No strong signal
Published Exploit: No public exploit references
Priority: P3 Priority
Severity Band
MEDIUM
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected Components
14
Reference Links
1
AI Risk Engine
Elevated (55/100)
Exploitability
Medium
Active Exploitation
No strong signal
Published Exploit Status
No public exploit references
AI Context
Machine-generated threat intelligence
AI
Updated 12 days ago
AI enriched 12 days ago (2026-04-09 07:34 UTC)
Technical Summary
Windows Secure Boot stores Microsoft certificates in the UEFI KEK and DB. These original certificates are approaching expiration, and devices containing affected certificate versions must update them to maintain Secure Boot functionality and avoid compromising security by losing security fixes related to Windows boot manager or Secure Boot. The operating system’s certificate update protection mechanism relies on firmware components that might contain defects, which can cause certificate trust updates to fail or behave unpredictably. This leads to potential disruption of…
Potential Impact
Severity is MEDIUM (CVSS 6.4). Depending on deployment context, affected components may be exposed to unauthorized actions or data integrity risk.
Exploitability Assessment
Exploitability is assessed as Medium based on severity and technical exposure profile.
Primary risk drivers: severity and technical exposure profile
Mitigation Recommendations
Validate affected product versions, prioritize patching, and monitor references for vendor remediation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, apply compensating controls and limit exposure of vulnerable surfaces.
Detection & Monitoring
Track authentication anomalies, unexpected file writes, and suspicious plugin API activity around affected components.
Business Impact Lens
Prioritize remediation where affected components process customer data, admin sessions, or Internet-exposed workflows.
